Gunners, Spurs frustrated by goalless draws

ARSENE Wenger said he needed a drink after watching Arsenal struggle to a 0-0 English Premier League draw against Middlesbrough at the Emirates.

The one point did take the Gunners to the top of the table, but Wenger said there was not much to celebrate on his 67th birthday.

"When you are not sharp, you lack creativity in the final third. The energy levels were a bit down but we were intelligent enough not to lose it," he said. "We were exposed at times. When you cannot win, you must not lose.

"They had chances but our goalkeeper saved us today. (Petr) Cech had a good performance in decisive phases.

"At least you can have a drink on your birthday. When you win you deserve it, when you don't you need it."

North London rival Tottenham had earlier missed the chance to go top with a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth.

Spurs remain the only unbeaten team in the EPL but slipped to fourth after Liverpool defeated West Brom at Anfield 2-1.

Jurgen Klopp's team dominated and deservedly took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho.

The Reds would have gone top with that scoreline on goal difference but a late West Brom goal from skipper Gareth McAuley knocked them down to second.

Champion Leicester stretched its unbeaten home run to 20 league games with a 3-1 success over Crystal Palace.

Record signing Ahmed Musa scored his first goal for the club, while Shinji Okazaki and Christian Fuchs struck after the break with Yohan Cabaye scoring a consolation goal.

Burnley scored a late winner to defeat Everton 2-1 at home, while Stoke continued its recovery with a 2-0 win at Hull.

Winless Sunderland is rooted to the bottom after Winston Reid's late goal gave West Ham a 1-0 home victory, while Swansea stayed second from bottom despite dominating in a 0-0 home draw with Watford.